| In
the dry season,
Sungai Chini could so shallow that boat tourists had to
step out of the boats.
Therefore, in 1994, a dam (6 ft high) was built near the exit to Sungai
Pahang, to
prevent wet tourist feet. |
 |
The
dam was built without
consulting the Orang Asli and despite their worries in the media that
it
would bring ecological disaster. For instance, to trees depending on seasonal flooding,
and to Sungai
Pahang fish breeding in the lake.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Soon, this
ecological disaster became visible by dead trees
around the lake;
|
 |
 |
 |
the
entrance of Sungai Chini started to
look like it had been hit by a bomb, |
 |
 |
 |
| and its banks (with trees) caved in. |
 |
| In
1999, the dam was lowered (to 3ft) and complemented with a water lock,
but this hardly gave any improvement. |
 |
| For
instance, it did not prevent the still ongoing infestation of the lake
by E-coli bacteria and by the water
plant misai
kuching
which pushes lotus flowers away. See also Tasik
Chini Factbook. |
